The Iowa plain dealer. [volume] (New Oregon, Howard County, Iowa) 1867-1895, 1887-06-09

Yes, even II sorrow come near,
Less heavy they'll grow just . leng . ws
Some poor soul 70 b good to. my Gear.
Margaret xytinse
THE DOCTORS WIFE.
The vicar Of Slapton, the Rev. Her.
bert Gardner, was the happy father Of
some half dozen children. the oldest
OF whom. Matte was a charming girl
Of 20.
Mattie's ideas Of the world were
drawn from occasional visits to neigh
boring town. for there was very little
society in the village; but though un-
sophisticated. she was . frank outspoken
girl, full of life and spirits, and great
favorite.
As yet she had been free from ..heart
disease though the lubberly son Of q
neighboring squire had paid court to
her and been promptly sent about his
business.
It was about this time that young
surgeon, looking for practice, deter
mined to settle down in SlaptOn. As
. matter Of course he and Matte often
met in the houses Of the poor, and
although not = word OF love passed
between them people began to sssocis ate
their names together, and to speak of
what might happen IS . certainty.
One day when Matte was, rs usual,
among her roses, servant came to
say that DR.. Robertson had asked for her
father, and as he was from home for
her. When she entered the room with
her basket of roses on her arm the doc
tor might well be excused il he won
dered which was fairer-the roses in
the basket or the rose with the basket.
II such thoughts passed through his
mind he quickly put them aside, for be
said:
II came to ask Mr.. Gardner il he
would step down to old Silas Jones. who
is very i'll with fever. They are very
poor and any help you could give them
would be Of more use than medicine. =
Papa is away she said, land will
not be back until tomorrow. but | viii
get some beef-tea ready for him.
Nothing could be better" said tht
doctor. ..And, as am going by tht
house, will take it myself. for feal
there may be an infection
But Matte would not consent to
shirk her duty. 50 they went on the er
rant together, From that day the doc
tor was q pleasant memory to the Cir
and though she tried to persuade he,
self that she did not love him, yet he
knew it was something more than
friendship which stirred her heart.
The doctor had gone away for visit
to neighboring town for q week or so
when one day going by the Office she
saw his housekeeper standing in the
door with q paper in her hand. The
old woman looked up and said:
Laws a-muzzy, Miss Matte, but
do'ee just read this paper. Ny owa
eyes binna so good as the yoncet was, :
and the old lady held out crumplet
newspaper.
And Matte read;
'.On the oath inst, at the parish church
Manchester, James Robertson, NJ D., only
son Of Peter Robertson, n. r. G. b. and L
B. A., Of Manchester, to Sarah Elizabeth
daughter Of the late Isaac Jefferson OF Boil
ton.
For q moment Matte was speeches.
with mingled feelings. Then came til.
reflection that this garrulous old wo
man must not see her pain; and sum.
moning up all her resolution, she said
If you write to him wish him much
happiness for me-. -
In the solitude of her chamber she
looked into her heart and learned hel
secret. This man, who was another's
husband. had made himself dearer tc
her than any one on earth could be-
and she had been mistaken in supposine
that he cared for her.
One morning she heard that the doc
tor had come home. She was standing
among the roses with very sad hear
when she saw DR.. Robertson passing
up the road with lady. He lifted hi
hat to her and she tried to return hi,
salutation as she would that Of any 9th
or friend, but somehow the warm bloot
came to her cheeks, and il was but
stiff and unfriendly little bow that sh,
gave him. And while she stood think
ing Of it all, and wondering why sh,
should be 80 unhappy, she heard foot
steps behind her on the gravel walk
and turning saw DR.. Rbertson advanc
ing eagerly toward her. Again thu
crimson tide flooded her face. making
her look very lovely in her confusion
But she managed to stammer out some
thing about ..glad to see you." whel
the doctor broke in with;
Mot half 80 glad as am to see you
[ have been to q wedding since l lef
Slapton and enjoyed my holiday i'm
mensely."
Yes. ! know" she said; II saw
your wife walking with you this morn
ing"
Ibid you, indeed?" he said, Will
q smile Of quiet joy lit up his face.
Where did you see my wife
Mattie?''
..In the road" said Matte.
mo, that was my sister, he replied
In the newspaper she urged
THAT was my cousin. he explained
"Come here. Did you look in the glas
this morning?"
"Yes," whispered Matte.
Then that's where you saw m
wife-if you saw her anywhere
And. Of course, that settled it, an,
you all know what happened as wei
rs I can tell you.
Nick. Riddlo